Colorado-Medical-Marijuana-Blog

A
federal crackdown on medical marijuana dispensaries in Colorado that began in
January of 2012 has resulted in 57 dispensaries closing their doors so far,
with another ten dispensaries recently being added to the list. U.S. Attorney
John Walsh has closed this latest round of dispensaries for being within 1,000
feet of schools, as was the case with the other 57 dispensaries in what has
proven to be one of the most aggressive law enforcement actions the industry
has experienced so far. The latest ten dispensary shut downs were part of a
third wave of letters sent by Walsh, but other dispensaries should be prepared
for a fourth wave as Walsh’s office has identified further dispensaries in
violation. Boulder District Attorney Stan Garnett feels that Washington, D.C.
could find a better use of their time. However, Walsh has indicated his commitment
to the crackdown and stated the closures were not at the direction of
Washington, but at his direction as a U.S. District Attorney and as a Colorado
citizen.

As the November vote for Amendment 64, the bill proposing legalization of marijuana in the state of Colorado, draws near, pro marijuana legalization donors are stepping forward and pouring millions of dollars into support campaigns. Advocates associated with billionaire donors George Soros and Peter Lewis are directing funds toward support of Amendment 64 in Colorado, reportedly raising as much as $1.1 million as of September 12th. Much of that total -- $876,000 reportedly came from Lewis. Another $90,000 came from the Drug Policy Action, which raises the question as to whether these large money supporters will be able to sway votes in favor of the Amendment. Without the large money backing, the question arises whether the bill would be able to stand on its own or fail.

Law enforcement officials who are involved in busting illegal marijuana growing operations in Colorado are in danger of being exposed to toxic levels of mold as well as other chemicals and carbon monoxide poisoning, health officials reported recently. A study performed by a National Jewish Health researcher recently reviewed conditions from 30 marijuana growing operations in Denver, Larimer and Littleton counties. Their findings showed mold levels at least 100 times higher than safe levels and in a few cases, higher readings than equipment was able to register. Illegal marijuana growing operations in Colorado such as these tend to thrive in poorly ventilated conditions, oftentimes with carpeted rooms which collect and retain the moisture – a prime mold growing atmosphere. Officials warn that children and those who suffer from respiratory ailments are more susceptible to toxic mold exposure and other diseases if these conditions are not corrected.

It seems as though Colorado medical marijuana laws have made illegal activity surrounding the drug a much easier thing as of late. Along with the record busts in Pueblo and Colorado Springs, Colorado law enforcement is finding it harder and harder to keep up with the increased amount of illegal marijuana activity in the state. Instead of a bust here and there of a couple pounds, it has now become almost a common occurrence to make a bust of several hundred pounds along with firearms and other illegal drugs. Law enforcement officials in Ft. Collins recently arrested two individuals for using a greenhouse to grow 375 pounds of marijuana. The individuals were also found with 22 ounces of hash, prescription drugs, six rifles and a hand gun. The suspects were charged with marijuana possession, possession with the intent to distribute and cultivation of marijuana. It seems as though these increasing incidents are only serving to strengthen the opposition to the drug’s presence in the state.

November is rapidly approaching and when it arrives, voters will be making a choice about amending the law in Colorado regarding marijuana and its legality. Amendment 64 has been a hot topic of discussion amongst both sides and now it will be up to Colorado citizens to decide its fate. Amendment 64 is a bill proposing to make possession of limited amounts of marijuana legal to adults in the state. Those for the bill feel by legalizing the drug, the state will benefit from taxes collected and will still be able to regulate it at the same time. Supporters feel this will open new avenues for the economy and reduce illegal black market activity. Those who are against the bill feel that the legalization of marijuana will lead to heavier teen drug abuse. Those opposing the bill also feel that illegal drug trafficking will not stop with legalization in the state and are concerned about the negative overtones legalizing the drug could have on the state’s reputation.

As the Colorado medical marijuana debate gains strength, some are turning to research performed in other areas to back their opinion. A study performed in New Zealand posted results recently that showed people who became dependent on marijuana before the age of 18 showed an average IQ decline of eight points by the age of 38. One thousand people were involved in the study, which tested participants at the age of 13, before any significant use and again at the age of 38. The study indicated that those who became dependent on marijuana by the age of 18 showed a decline in IQ, whereas those who became dependent later in their adult life did not show as much decline. It is theorized that the drug has a much greater effect on the brain that is still in the growth stage. The study also showed that quitting the drug did not correct the problem. One researcher stated that the main lesson he sees in this is that for health reasons, it is better to avoid the drug entirely.

Many medical marijuana dispensaries in Colorado work hard to provide a legitimate service to patients in Colorado, but as with anything, a few bad seeds tend to spoil what others are working so hard to achieve. Eleven people connected with The Silver Lizard dispensary in Denver were accused recently of illegally funneling the drug to other states for distribution. The eleven people face a 59-count indictment for charges of racketeering and marijuana distribution and if found guilty, the defendants face sentences ranging eight to 24 years. Colorado Attorney General John Suthers stated the defendants are accused of illegally distributing marijuana to 13 other states and Washington, D.C. In a recent statement, Suthers opposed Colorado’s medical marijuana laws. Suthers claimed that due to these laws, Colorado is becoming a major exporter of marijuana to the rest of the country.

A former medical marijuana dispensary owner in Lafayette, Colorado was charged recently for possession and selling marijuana with the intent to take the drug out of state. Officials began watching the dispensary owner in August of 2011 when an informant at the U.S. Postal Service disclosed the dispensary owner sold large amounts to the informant, who said the marijuana would be shipped to a friend in Missouri. Once under surveillance, undercover officers and the informant again arranged to purchase ten pounds of marijuana for $30,000 from the dispensary owner with the intention of shipping the drug to friends in Missouri. The dispensary owner was arrested after the buy took place. Police then searched the owner’s house, uncovering ten pounds of marijuana. The dispensary owner entered into a plea bargain and was sentenced to 12 months of probation, 48 hours of community service and was ordered to pay restitution.

In what has been considered one of the largest marijuana farm busts in Colorado history, local and federal agents swarmed an area in the San Isabel National Forest in August, netting more than 13,000 marijuana plants that had been growing illegally on public land. The operation had been under surveillance since May when they were alerted by a local hiker to the marijuana farm. The hiker stumbled onto the farm and alerted authorities after noticing the plants and a makeshift lean-to. Two people were arrested in the raid and four escaped. Authorities say that large-scale marijuana farms in Colorado are becoming a stronger problem. In 2009, officials busted another farm in Pike National Forest near Deckers, netting 14,500 marijuana plants. The problem has become so severe that authorities actually have a publication for hikers on what to do if they stumble upon a marijuana garden. The publication is available through the Forest Service.

Finding some sort of common ground concerning medical marijuana in Colorado is becoming a harder task as new issues continue to come to light. The battle between what is considered legal by the state and what is considered legal under federal law is proving to be tougher than first anticipated. Recently, a dispute between marijuana grower Quincy Haeberle and Blue Sky Car Connection found its way to court where Arapahoe County District Judge Charles Pratt was forced to invalidate a $40,000 contract. Pratt stated that although Colorado has passed laws legalizing the drug, it is still considered illegal under federal law and as marijuana is considered illegal, federal law pre-empts state law, making the contract invalid.